Vance-Granville Community College has been designated a Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility in their communities. ATD made the announcement on February 20 at its DREAM 2025 conference in Philadelphia, PA.
“VGCC is honored to be recognized as a Leader College for the ATD Network as we work to achieve student excellence and success,” commented Dr. Rachel Desmarais, Vance-Granville Community College president. “Continuous improvement is the fuel to advance the people and communities we serve.”
VGCC joined the ATD Network in 2018, a coalition of 300+ colleges nationwide committed to supporting student success at their institutions and promoting economic vitality in their communities. The College’s three-year Leader College term begins in February, after which it will have the opportunity to recertify its designation.
Leader Colleges play an important role in accelerating the adoption of effective practices within the network and across higher education. They have demonstrated quality work in whole-college reform, resulting in increased completion rates for all students. Leader Colleges develop innovative ways to work with other colleges to share knowledge and facilitate an exchange of ideas about evidence-based reform strategies.
“We are proud to recognize our 2025 Leader Colleges for their extraordinary commitment to student success,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “These colleges exemplify excellence within the ATD Network, achieving measurable gains in student outcomes and fostering impactful change within their institutions and communities. Their dedication to using data-informed approaches to create meaningful opportunities for students and their communities serves as a powerful example for all institutions of higher education and especially for those in the ATD Network.”
About Achieving the Dream
Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, the organization provides institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work—from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. ATD calls this Whole College Transformation. Its vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable and economically vibrant communities. ATD knows that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes—so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers.
Follow ATD on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn. To learn more, visit the Achieving the Dream (ATD) website: www.achievingthedream.org.
